The best running leggings reviewed (2023)

As far as fit and performance are concerned, Inov-8 has created just about the perfect leggings with the Race Elite Tights. They have enough stretch to allow excellent freedom of movement but are form-fitting and offer some compression.

These leggings are packed with thoughtful and useful features. One of the standouts is the ankle zips, which make the often-infuriating job of putting on or removing running leggings so much easier. The section covering the calf muscles are reinforced with more durable fabric too. This means they cope much better when they inevitably catch vegetation.

A simple drawcord makes the elasticated waistband fit properly, and grip tape at the rear helps keep it there, even if you’ve got a phone in the zipped rear pocket. The only niggles we have are that no recycled fabric appears to have been used.

Check out the women's version here

We were blown away by the Decathlon Emboss leggings. Multipurpose is a good way to describe these running leggings, which not only feel great on, but tick all the functionality boxes.

A unique feature to the tights is the three mesh pockets, which are overlaid at the front and sides of the waistband. These are well placed to stash gels, bars, or gloves, while a small front zip pocket is ideal for keys and a large back pocket can fit a big smartphone. Along with the useful pocket capacity, the waistband is also comfortably wide with an additional drawstring along the top, which combine to provide a snug and supportive fit.

The leggings themselves are made from a synthetic and breathable fabric, which is both sweat-wicking and offers some thermal capabilities for temperatures down to zero degrees Celsius. That being said, they also didn’t feel too hot to run in for up to 15_°_C.

The Emboss are specifically designed to avoid causing any chafing or pressure points, and they’ve achieved this beautifully. Other features which enhance the fit of these leggings are the ankle zips and well-placed, flattering seams. For sizing, a women's XS fits a true UK8 perfectly, and should also be a good fit for a UK6.

Check out the men's version here

These are the lightest full-length running leggings here and quickly became our favourites for long runs during those weeks either side of mid-winter. There is a zipped rear pocket that can fit a smartphone (just), plus a couple of small mesh pockets.

Mesh panels behind the knees are a welcome boost for breathability, and we also like the addition of the subtle but effective reflective strips. Beyond performance, Dynafit is a Fair Wear Foundation with ‘Leader’ status, which means the brand is doing very well to ensure its workers are treated well.

Issues? Given the ultra-lightweight nature of these leggings, they aren’t the toughest. That being said, the Italian Carvico Revolutional fabric keeps its shape nicely and is quite durable given how light it is.

Check out the women's version here

We’ll always be a fan of leggings which can accommodate a smartphone, which is why the On Running Performance Tights impressed at the outset. Along the right thigh of the Performance is a pocket large enough for a 7-inch smartphone, the convenient location and smooth material make it easy to whip a phone out and stash it away again while on the move. For valuables and keys, there’s also a rear zip pocket.

An extra-wide waistband holds the tights neatly in place, while the flattering seams add a bit of style to the design. Though On class these as tights for cold weather running, they felt a little too thin to be wearing in anything under five Celsius. On the flip side, they are very breathable and soft to touch. The only downside of the flex in the material is that a heavier phone like mine (275g) did cause some pull-down on the tights, despite the drawstring being tightly tied.

More and more leggings are making the move to be increasingly sustainable and eco-minded; this is the case for the Performance. These tights are made from 75% recycled polyester with an injection of stretch and flexibility added from the remaining 25% elastane. All in all, these leggings perform well and look good at the same time, providing good support and coverage for various activities including running, gym sessions, and to wear generally when out and about.

Check out the men's version here

You may know the OMM name, in fact you may have even taken part in one of its events. Its Flash 0.75 running leggings are simply very good, and not bad value either.

The polyester fabric is softer to touch than some other running leggings (Inov-8 Race Elite and Dynafit Ultra Long, for example), which is a nice addition for comfort alongside flatlock seams. There are mesh panels behind the knees for extra breathability too.

A mesh thigh pocket resides on each leg, and there is a clever little key pocket inside the waist next to the drawcord. There is, however, no zip pocket.

We approve of the reflective strips, which is an important safety feature, and also the grip tape at the bottom of each leg to keep them in place. Just like on the Inov-8 leggings above, it works very well.

Designed as mountain running leggings, the La Sportiva Triumph Tight Pant offers a host of practical features for running adventures. The tights are made from breathable 80% recycled polyester and polyamide fibres, which translates to a relatively lightweight and flexible fit, while the panelled design gives extra stretch and ventilation to the sides and calves.

La Sportiva says the leggings aim to provide an athletic fit. We didn’t feel that the Triumph held us in as well as other leggings, but this could be due to us not having the correct size with the S feeling a little baggy - an XS would be best suited to a UK8 for a performance fit. That being said, the perforated drawstring waist did a good job at keeping the leggings up and in place while running.

The big selling point for these run tights has to be the pockets, of which there are two mesh envelope pouches on each side and a rear zip-up option. The side pockets are in fact large enough to fit a large 7-inch phone securely or a good number of gels, while the lined, ‘sweat-proof’ zip pocket can easily hold keys and other valuables.

Check out the men's version here

Rab’s Talus running leggings are another sub-200g option we highly recommend. Being as light as they are, these are good for faster runs. And they’re awash with thoughtful touches. A zip pocket and a brace of thigh stash pockets also means you have all the storage space you need.

The Talus is tighter around the lower calf and ankle than the Dynafit Ultra Long Tights, and is about the same as the Inov-8 Race Elite, albeit without the ankle zips.

Rab can also point to its strong sustainability credentials as a means of point scoring against rivals. Like Dynafit, Rab is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation endorsed with ‘Leader’ status. But it can also boast being a climate neutral company too. The Talus Tights are PFC-free.

Check out the women's version here